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5.3 Connétable D.J. Murphy of Grouville of the Chief Minister regarding the cost of the new post in Brussels:
How many staff will be required for the new post in Brussels, what will Jersey's share of the cost be and will savings be made to compensate in the Chief Minister's Department?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur (The Chief Minister):
The new Channel Islands Brussels office has been set up in partnership with Guernsey and funding will be shared equally between the 2 Islands. Each Island share will be in the order of £400,000 a year. The Brussels office is being funded from existing E.U. budgets and other budgets for European matters. The current budgets - and they have been in place for several years - have been used to fund professional support on a contractual and ad hoc basis. The Islands will now have a permanent office of 3 staff dedicated to furthering the interest of Jersey and Guernsey in the E.U. and around Europe.
The Connétable of Grouville :
I seemed to have missed the collective gasp of astonishment when he mentioned £400,000, after that I missed his remarks on where the money was coming from.
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I said that the money came from existing budgets. We have for some years been using contracted work and ad hoc advisers on a needs basis and the cost has been as much or greater in the past than it is now. There is no additional cost involved whatsoever.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour :
Could the Chief Minister identify how much money was spent on ad hoc advisers? As I understand it, there were a couple of good lawyers who were employed on such a basis and, secondly, would he not acknowledge that it was totally impolitic and a symptom of how things are out of control that in the same breath as the announcement was made, an announcement was made ...
The Bailiff :
That sounds like a completely separate question, Deputy . You can confine yourself to one topic, so you have asked the first question.
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
The spending on this I can certainly ascertain for the Deputy but, as I said in my answer, it has been as much or greater than the current cost that is envisaged. As well as the professional legal advice that we spoke of, there are also communication consultants in a number of countries which have now been discontinued.
- Deputy A.E. Jeune of St. Brelade :
The question I note says: "How many staff will be required?" and I do not think I heard that in the answer.
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
I did indicate that there were 3 staff.
- The Deputy of St. Mary :
Can the Chief Minister inform Members of the selection process for the person heading up this office?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
Certainly. The positions were advertised openly, the application process was transparent and it was overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Can the Chief Minister inform Members whether the funding for these particular posts is in addition to the additional £400,000 for marketing and promotion of Jersey through Jersey Finance or otherwise?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
No. As I have already indicated, this money comes out of the existing Chief Minister's Department's budgets. It is just being spent in a better way.
- Deputy P.J. Rondel of St. John :
Is the Assistant Chief Minister currently off-Island to do with off-Island affairs or is he off-Island for other reasons and also will the Minister confirm ...
The Bailiff :
That is nothing to do with this question. The Deputy of St. John :
It may very well have something He may be in Brussels. [Laughter] We need
that confirmed by the Minister.
The Bailiff :
That is a good try, Deputy .
The Deputy of St. John :
Will he confirm that he is on business in Brussels? Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
The Assistant Minister is not in Brussels. He is in London.
- Senator J.L. Perchard:
Could the Chief Minister outline the role and function of the new Brussels office and will he confirm that some of its work will be to put at rest or put right some of the misinformation that leaves this Island?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
Yes, the Brussels office is intended to spearhead a ... increase the awareness of the true facts about Jersey and Guernsey in the E.U. and that is going to be quite a considerable task to be undertaken. I am very pleased with the calibre of staff that have been appointed to lead this operation and I believe that they will only enhance the reputation of Jersey throughout the European Union.
- The Connétable of Grouville :
Since the £400,000 budget has been found from the budget referring to ad hoc advice taken in the past, can we now assume that we are not going to need ad hoc advice any longer?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur : Yes, indeed.